A Manchester United star has suffered a huge 2022 FIFA World Cup blow after he was not included in his country's preliminary squad for the tournament.
In the coming weeks, various nations are expected to announce their final 26-man teams for the showpiece in Qatar.
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Some countries have already confirmed their preliminary squads for the tournament, including Spain and Mexico, with the latter notably leaving out former United and Real Madrid striker Javier Hernandez, per ESPN.
With 2010 World Cup champions Spain having submitted their preliminary list of players for Qatar 2022, it did not include United goalkeeper David de Gea to the surprise of many, according to FourFourTwo.
La Furia Roja Luis Enrique included five shot-stoppers in the group, with three Premier League goalkeepers, namely Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga, Brighton Hove Albion's Robert Sanchez and Brentford's David Raya being named in the selection, while Athletic Club's Unai Simon and Getafe's David Soria also made the list ahead of the Red Devils' No. 1.
It is claimed the 31-year-old's discomfort with playing out from the back was a key factor in his exclusion, with many modern coaches expecting their goalkeepers to be comfortable with the ball at their feet in order to contribute to all phases of play.
The snub comes despite De Gea having been a key player for the Red Devils this season, starting in all 17 matches for his side and keeping eight clean sheets in the process.
In June, Chelsea star Arrizabalaga revealed in an interview with Marca that De Gea had a private conversation with Enrique about his status in the team, after which he was not picked again.
That same month, the Spain boss explained his expectations from a goalkeeper.
"A goalkeeper should start the play and generate the first superiority, they must dominate the aerial play," Enrique said, according to the Daily Mirror.
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"I need a goalkeeper that transmits peace and calmness to me, that doesn't mean they won't make mistakes, errors are part of football. What they generate I like a lot."
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